Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Chinese New Year Celebrations in London

刘晓明大使在伦敦春节庆典上的讲话

Trafalgar Square, London, 18 February 2018

2018年2月18日，伦敦特拉法加广场

Mayor Sadiq Khan,

Lord Mayor Ian Adams,

Councillor Nickie Aiken,

Deputy Director Tan Tianxing,

Chairman Chu Ting Tang,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

尊敬的大伦敦市市长卡恩先生，

尊敬的西敏市市长亚当斯先生，

尊敬的西敏市议会议长艾肯女士，

尊敬的国务院侨办副主任谭天星先生，

尊敬的伦敦华埠商会主席邓柱廷先生，

女士们，先生们，朋友们：

Happy Chinese New Year!

大家过年好！

It is a real delight to join you on this beautiful spring day here in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

On this third day of the new year, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Dog!

很高兴在春意盎然、万象更新的时节出席特拉法加广场春节庆典。今天是中国农历狗年大年初三，值此金狗迎春之际，我祝大家狗年事业兴旺，家庭和睦，吉祥如意，幸福安康！

Today, 18th February 2018, we are celebrating the Chinese New Year in Trafalgar Square for the 16th time. All these Chinese lucky numbers indicate that today is a most auspicious day.

16 symbolizes “smooth”.

18 stands for “making a fortune”.

Moreover, the barking of the dog sounds similar to the Chinese word “wang” which means “prosperous”.

All these make today a smooth day in a prosperous year that promises a huge fortune.

今年是2018年，今天是2月18日，也是特拉法加广场春节庆典举办第16个年头。“16”在中文中谐音“要顺”，“18”谐音“要发”，狗年又有“兴旺”之意。今年寓意“又顺、又发、又旺”，是一个非常吉祥如意的年份，一定会给我们每个人都带来好运。

What is more, this is my eighth Trafalgar Square celebration. Eight is another lucky number. With this happy coincidence, I wish everyone double happiness.

Over the past eight years, I have seen this annual extravaganza drawing an ever larger crowd and the programmes getting better and more colourful, making Trafalgar Square the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside Asia.

今年也是我第8次出席特拉法加广场春节庆典，可以说是“发上加发”，双喜临门。8年来，我见证广场春节庆典规模越来越大，节目越来越丰富，“朋友圈”越来越广，不仅成为伦敦年初重要文化盛事，也成为亚洲地区之外规模最大的春节庆祝活动，更成为中英人文交流和民间友谊的“三大庆典”：

It is, first and foremost, a celebration of the Chinese heritage.

China has a long history and splendid culture. For all the days and dynasties in over 4,000 years, the Chinese New Year has remained the most significant and spectacular festival of the Chinese people.

It is celebrated with fireworks, dragon and lion dance, lantern display and riddle games. It is a time for families to get together. It is a season for relatives and friends to connect. It is for sharing good food. It is for expressing best wishes for the future.

这是传承中国传统文化的庆典。中国是一个有着悠久历史和辉煌文化的国家。春节在中国已有4000多年的历史，无论时代变迁，春节对所有中国人而言，都是一年中最重要、最隆重的节日。我们举家团圆，鸣鞭响炮，舞龙舞狮，猜谜赏灯，走亲访友，共享天伦之乐，共叙亲情乡谊，共赏美味佳肴，共话美好愿景。

Second, it is a celebration of the mutual appreciation between the eastern and western civilizations.

London is a city of rich diversity, where different cultures learn from each other and thrive together.

The Chinese New Year celebration, with its art performances, folk customs and cuisine displays, appeals to people in Britain and around the world as it extols the beauty of a happy life.

It is this common aspiration for a better life that draws people of all cultural backgrounds together, and turns Trafalgar Square into a big melting pot of eastern and western civilizations.

这是东西方文明融合互鉴的庆典。伦敦是一个多元包容的城市，各国文化在此交流互鉴，和谐共荣。春节系列庆典囊括了文艺表演、民俗展示、饮食交流等多种形式，受到英国人民及各国游客热烈欢迎，既寄托了我们对美好生活的共同期许，又成为东西方文明互学互鉴、相映成辉的盛会。

Third, it is a celebration of the ever deeper friendship between China and the UK.

A few days ago, Prime Minister May paid a successful visit to China. During the visit, the leaders of our two countries agreed to build China-UK “Golden Era” 2.0. This entails enhanced cooperation in language, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges at all levels.

Here in Trafalgar Square, as we come together to celebrate the Chinese New Year, we have the best opportunity to increase mutual understanding, build closer bond and pass on our friendship from generation to generation.

这是深化中英友谊的庆典。梅首相不久前正式访华取得成功，中英两国领导人就打造中英关系“黄金时代”增强版达成广泛共识，其中包括进一步深化中英语言、文化、教育、地方等领域交流合作。春节活动必将促进两国人民相知相近，推动两国人民友好情谊代代相传。

As we enjoy the performance and festive atmosphere, let us not forget those who have worked hard to make it possible.

I would like to express my special thanks to the Greater London Authority and the Westminster City Council.

My thanks also go to the organizer – the London Chinatown Chinese Association – and all the volunteers.

My warmest thanks also go to the Cultures of China: Festival of Spring Ensemble and the Happy Spring Festival Ensemble. They have traveled all the way from China to be with us today.

Let us give them a big hand!

在我们共享春节喜悦的时刻，我要特别感谢大伦敦市政府、西敏市政府对庆典活动的重视和支持，感谢主办单位伦敦华埠商会以及所有志愿者的辛勤工作，感谢不远万里从中国专程而来的“文化中国·四海同春”艺术团和“欢乐春节”艺术团，正是由于他们的辛劳付出，我们才能享受今天的庆典盛宴。让我们送给他们最热烈的掌声！

The Year of the Rooster has delivered fruitful results. The Year of the Dog promises greater prosperity.

Dog is our best friend. In both China and Britain, dog is a symbol of loyalty, courage, diligence and prosperity.

I sincerely hope, in the Year of the Dog, in both China and the UK, we will “roll up our sleeves” and join hands to work for the China-UK “Golden Era” 2.0, and for a better future of the world!

金鸡献瑞钦郅治，玉犬呈祥展宏猷。今年是狗年，狗是人类的亲密朋友，在中英两国文化中都代表忠诚、勇敢、勤勉、兴旺。我衷心希望，在新的一年里，我们更加勤奋努力，“撸起袖子加油干”，共同打造中英关系“黄金时代”增强版，共同开创世界更加美好的明天！

Thank you!

谢谢！